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17.01.2022 - Foods

Update of DGHM Recommendations (Microbiological Guidelines and Warning Values for Foods)

Below we would like to point out the latest updates of the DGHM recommendations. For numerous product groups of foods, the "Permanent Working Group on Microbiological Guidelines and Warning Values for Food of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM e.V.)" publishes guidelines and warning values for the evaluation of microbiological test results. These criteria are intended to assist in assessing the hygienic-microbiological quality of the food. In contrast to the legal criteria of the Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, the DGHM recommendations are not legally binding.

The innovations in the DGHM recommendations were published last month. Accordingly, we have updated our testing plans.

The following drafts were published as new recommendations without change:

• Frozen fruits
• Raw lamb, not minced, not marinated (excluding offal)

The DGHM recommendations are available for a fee at www.dghm-richt-warnwerte.de. We have the appropriate access to the data.

New or updated drafts of product groups:

Unseasoned and seasoned minced meat from pork and/or beef at the trade level

Following changes:

• For the parameter "Thermophilic Campylobacter," the sample weight is reduced from 25g to 10g

Dried fruits including raisins and fruit powder

Following changes:

• For the parameter "Enterobacteriaceae," the guideline value is increased from 1x10^2 to 1x10^3 CFU/g and the warning value from 1x10^3 to 1x10^4 CFU/g

Hot-smoked fish products, whole fish and pieces with and without skin

Following changes:

For the parameter "Enterobacteriaceae," a distinction is made between whole fish and pieces.

• Whole fish: Guideline value 1x10^3; Warning value 1x10^4 CFU/g
• Pieces: Guideline value 1x10^4; Warning value 1x10^5 CFU/g

Dried mushrooms (excluding porcini mushrooms), no change from previous recommendation.

The drafts are freely accessible at www.dghm.org

If you have any questions or comments on the recommendations and drafts, please feel free to contact your customer advisor. As the Managing Director of BAV INSTITUT Paul Andrei is a member of the above-mentioned working group, we can answer your questions competently and promptly.